Technics EAH-AZ100 Review

Our Technics EAH-AZ100 Experience

The Technics case and buds are bulky. It feels somewhat “old-school” in a way that is hard to describe until you hold it in your hand. We liked the metallic-looking finish on the outside of the buds, but the case itself is uninspired and blah. However, we didn't come here for the case, so we can ignore its size and be grateful it's small enough for most pockets.

The Technics come with a USB-C charging cord and five silicone tips. The tips have a foam backing in the gap, which is unique to these buds and may be why we felt a little claustrophobic while wearing them. The buds feel big, and while not the heaviest in the group, they aren't light either. The bud's nozzle has a light sensor nearby that tells the bud if it is being worn. They have touch controls on the buds that include play/pause, volume, track skipping, voice assistant, and switching noise cancellation modes.

We felt the fit was stable enough for short trail runs or mountain bike rides, but it isn't as confidence-inspiring as those with some supportive feature like a wing or a hook. Once again, the bulkiness made us nervous; while they stayed put during lighter activities like washing dishes or holding a downward dog pose, we wouldn't choose them for workout sessions where quick movements or lateral leaps might be involved.

Pairing the Technics was simple and required opening the case so devices nearby could detect them. You can also engage manual pairing by holding the backs of both buds simultaneously until the pairing prompt appears on your device. We didn't have any connectivity issues. These buds also boast an impressively long battery life of over 14 hours! This was plenty of time for us to commute, work, work out, and head back home, though many of us required a break around 6 hours of wearing to ease discomfort.

The Technics work in conjunction with an app that has a fairly clunky user interface. However, we did like all the personalized touches. The ear fit test selects a sound mix tailored to each unique ear shape, while an 8-band equalizer (EQ) and a range of presets allow for fine-tuning sound. Additionally, it features spatial audio with head tracking and a noise-canceling slider. We particularly appreciated the ability to adjust notification volume, a feature we didn't find on all competitors.

Occasionally, we got a bit of that plugged-up feeling from the ANC, like there was a tiny plunger in our ears. Luckily, the ANC is fully adjustable to help mitigate this side effect, or let ambient sounds in, with Technics' impressively natural and lifelike passthrough mode.

Placing phone calls was the real bummer with these buds. We struggled in all environments, and often the voices cut out completely. This was more than a “Can you hear me now?” issue and resulted in us giving up on phone calls altogether. While we know many people almost never take a call, the Technics performance was so bad that we couldn't even if we wanted to.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Sound Quality

The Technics delivers a cleaner, more immersive sound than most competitors; however, the lackluster shine of bright instruments held it back.

The overall mix leans towards a neutral sound, with a distinctive bass presence. The subtly emphasized lows add a pleasant thump and rumble to hip-hop anthems without overpowering. Unlike a teenager's robust car speakers, these earbuds deliver tight, precise, controlled attacks, without muddied distortion.

The mids are equally charming, delivering rich, detailed vocals in stripped-down acoustic ballads. The breathwork of the singer and the clang of the strings from a powerfully strummed guitar chord come through. In some bass-heavy tracks, though, the singer's voice sounded a touch distant, as if it were taking a backseat to the punchy percussion.

The highs sound mostly superb, but to the discerning ear, they don't shine to their full potential. Instruments like harmonicas and flutes never reached that flinch-inducing harshness; we wish they had more presence and character. It's as if the music is missing that extra special something, which could be a disappointment for audiophiles seeking top-tier sound.

We took a closer inspection by charting the frequency response to learn more about the sound mix.

The lows are consistently elevated above our preferred curve, while the highs track it more closely. This makes the music sound rather dark, with prominent lows stealing the show and recessed highs competing for the limelight.

Soundstage

While the sound mix didn't completely blow us away, the soundstage did. The AZ100 delivers one of the most immersive listening experiences we've ever tested. These earbuds make music sound broad and expansive. Instruments are spread across a three-dimensional space in clean, defined layers, creating a captivating soundscape. It feels like the musicians are right there, an impressive feat most buds struggle to attain.

Comfort and Fit

Five flexible silicone tip sizes, ranging from XS to XL, ensure that ear canals of all sizes can find the perfect fit. Still, the rather large, stiff metal casing that rests outside the ear feels bulky. While not completely off-putting, we were always very aware that we had something clunky wedged in there.

Noise Cancellation

Although not quite industry-leading, as Technics' claims suggest, the AZ100 does a pretty good job of tuning out everyday annoyances.

Thanks to highly effective active noise cancellation (ANC), we didn't have to listen to background conversations at the office or loud construction noise while running outdoors.

Mid- and high-pitched sounds, like these, were almost entirely blocked, while some lower-pitched sounds, such as rumbling car engines or garage doors, had a muffled presence.

App Features

Everything, from the sound to the ANC to the touch controls, is fully customizable with the Audio Connect app, making the AZ100 one of our favorites for bonus features. They can even connect to three devices at once, making them an excellent choice for multitaskers juggling work between their laptop, tablet, and phone.

If you misplace your buds, the app has two features to help you find them. You can have them chirp or use Find My to view their last detected location. The two-tiered safety net isn't something we often see, and it gave us extra peace of mind.

Battery Life

With ANC off, the Technics ran for an impressive 14 hours and 40 minutes, nearly three hours longer than the claimed 12-hour battery life. It's one of the best on the market today, ensuring you're not stuck finishing your workout or commuting home without your favorite playlist or podcast.

All-day listeners or frequent travelers will appreciate the AZ100's lengthy battery life. When it's time to recharge, the case's battery offers two full charges. The case can be charged wirelessly or via a wired connection, adding extra convenience to your life.

Call Quality

Despite the new Voice Focus AI and six dedicated microphones, the AZ100 failed to deliver clear calls. Even after multiple test attempts in quiet rooms, our voices sounded choppy and garbled. Most premium-priced earbuds offer significantly better clarity.